KUALA LUMPUR:The Malaysian Bar believed that the information shared by former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas in his memoir on the alleged incompetence in the attitude, commitment and dedication of Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) officers were inaccurate.
Its president, Salim Bashir, in a statement today, said what were stated in the book, 'My Story: Justice in the Wilderness' by Thomas were his own views and did not represent the opinions of the Malaysian Bar.
He said the Malaysian Bar had good professional relations with various levels and divisions in the AGC and the professionalism of the officers in the department was very good and commendable.
As such, he said the Malaysian Bar was of the opinion that it was inaccurate to label the whole AGC machinery as incompetent, lack desire for progress and not competitive compared to lawyers in the private sector.
"The level of competence demonstrated by the AGC officers, especially the deputy public prosecutors and federal counsels in handling a case is something to be proud of and it shows an excellent level of capability on par with private lawyers," he said.
Salim said if Thomas wanted to criticise the AGC, he should have done while he was in service, or at least offer a more constructive criticism now that he has resigned.
He said, although admittedly there were several shortcomings among the officers, it was normal in every organisation, either in the public or the private sector.
"We cannot make a general summary of the attitude of the officers and lawyers in the AGC.
''We (Malaysian Bar) believe many of AGC officers are capable of dealing with and prepared to accept constructive criticisms which aimed at improving themselves," he said.
Salim said that many judges who were now in the top stratum of the judiciary had started their career in the AGC.
These judges were also capable of writing excellent judgement and had precise legal knowledge on par with those of other judges who had served as lawyers before, he said.
Thomas, 69, was appointed as Attorney-General to replace Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali on June 4, 2018, when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became the country's 7th Prime Minister.
However, he decided to step down on Feb 28, 2020, about four months before his contract ended in June 2020.
As of last Sunday, the police had received 134 reports nationwide and had opened three investigation papers on the content of Thomas' book which allegedly insulted various quarters.
Among those who had lodged police reports after Thomas launched his book were Mohamed Apandi and former solicitor-general III Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Feb 09 2021
Its president, Salim Bashir, in a statement today, said what were stated in the book, 'My Story: Justice in the Wilderness' by Thomas were his own views and did not represent the opinions of the Malaysian Bar.
Nahas skuter elektrik meningkat di Jepun selepas peraturan dilonggar
Dalam tempoh enam bulan sejak Julai lepas, 85 nahas lalu lintas melibatkan skuter elektrik dicatatkan dan mengakibatkan 86 kecederaan.
Mohamed Khaled tiba di Indonesia untuk lawatan rasmi, dijadual bertemu Prabowo
Menteri Pertahanan tiba di Jakarta pada Ahad untuk lawatan kerja rasmi sulung beliau ke Indonesia sejak memegang jawatan itu.
'Tersentuh tengok golongan OKU penglihatan tunai umrah’ - Mohd Na’im
"Moga terkabul segala hajat sahabat-sahabat OKU penglihatan menunaikan ibadat umrah dan ziarah."
PM Anwar yakin terhadap IsDB dalam tangani ketidaksamaan, marginalisasi umat Islam
Bank itu mempunyai peranan untuk menangani isu ketidakadilan, ketidaksamaan dan marginalisasi terutamanya dalam kalangan umat Islam.
Harumanis antara tarikan utama Agrofiesta 2024
Mangga harumanis dan produk makanan berasaskan mangga antara tarikan utama pada penganjuran Agrofiesta 2024.
NIOSH sedia beri khidmat nasihat depani cabaran perubahan iklim
NIOSH bersedia memberikan khidmat nasihat serta rundingan bagi membantu kerajaan, majikan dan pekerja menghadapi cabaran berkaitan perubahan iklim.
Malaysia negara pertama terima visa haji
Malaysia menjadi negara pertama yang menerima pengeluaran visa haji daripada Kementerian Haji dan Umrah Arab Saudi bagi jemaah musim haji 1445H/2024.
Menteri Indonesia bincang isu pekerja migran dengan rakan sejawat dari Malaysia
Fauziyah harap Steven akan membawa penambahbaikan kepada dasar berkaitan tenaga kerja Indonesia.
Pahang peruntuk RM1.5 juta bantuan tunai bakal jemaah haji
Sebanyak 1,588 jemaah haji Pahang menerima sumbangan 'duit poket' berjumlah RM750 seorang bagi membantu meringankan beban bakal haji dalam melakukan persiapan melaksanakan rukun Islam kelima itu.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Pengundi jangan mudah percaya taktik fitnah - Ramanan
Ramanan berkata pengundi perlu lebih berhati-hati, dan sentiasa menyemak fakta apabila mendengar kempen politik yang dilakukan pihak lawan.
Darurat: Majlis Peguam suara kebimbangan imuniti lindungi kerajaan daripada situasi akibat kecuaian
Presiden Majlis Peguam Salim Bashir berkata, kuasa yang luas di bawah ordinan ini, memberikan kesan yang menggerunkan kepada rakyat biasa.